BuildingPermitCost How Lucas County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using $0.20 per square foot, plus a $60.00 application fee, with a $20.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: its own fee table. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Residential (one, two & three family dwellings and accessory structures)
$0.20 per square foot, plus a $60.00 application fee, with a $20.00 minimum.
Commercial (all structures other than residential)
$0.20 per square foot, plus a $75.00 application fee, with a $20.00 minimum.
Surcharges
- State of Ohio Board of Building Standards mandated fee (residential): 1% of the permit fee
- State of Ohio Board of Building Standards mandated fee (commercial): 3% of the permit fee
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). Building permit and plan review fees are a base fee plus a rate per gross square foot (100 sq ft minimum); valuation is not used. "Additional fee per gross square foot (100sf minimum) $0.20".
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.20 = $480.00
- Application fee: fixed = $60.00
- Plan review fee: $50.00 for the first 0 sq ft + $0.03 × 2,400 per sq ft over = $122.00
- State of Ohio Board of Building Standards mandated fee (residential): 1% of $480.00 = $4.80
- Total before trade permits: $666.80.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of OccupancyWhen: when a certificate of occupancy is issued | $75.00 each |
| Plan review 2nd resubmission (residential)When: second resubmission | $75.00 each |
| Plan review 3rd and each later resubmission (residential)When: third or later resubmission | $150.00 each |
| Revisions after initial plan approvalWhen: revision after approval | $75.00 each |
| Phased approvals, each phase after initial applicationWhen: phased approval | $75.00 each |
| Permit renewalWhen: permit renewal | $100.00 each |
| Reinspection, 2ndWhen: second reinspection | $150.00 each |
| After hours inspectionWhen: after-hours inspection | $150.00 each |
| Special servicesWhen: special services requested | $100.00 per hour |
| Board of Building AppealsWhen: appeal filed | $200.00 each |
| Drainage Regulations, Subdivision Site Plan Review (for the Lucas County Engineer)When: subdivision site plan review | $100.00 each |
| Illegal or unauthorized workWhen: work without permit | $250.00 1st offense |
3 more fees
- Contractor registration, original or renewal: $100.00 per contractor
- Fire alarm and suppression, 1 to 25 devices: $150.00 each
- Credit card convenience charge: by processor
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: New residential base fee per unit $90; existing residential alteration per unit $75; commercial base per unit $100; commercial alteration $6 per fixture/circuit; services $0.50 per amp; temporary/underground service $75. Plumbing: Residential permit base fee per unit $90 plus $6 per fixture; commercial $100 base plus $6 per fixture; underground inspection $75 per run. Mechanical: Residential HVAC $100 per heating or cooling unit (includes duct); alteration to existing duct/hydronic $75 per unit; commercial new $100 base + $0.05 per gross sq ft; geothermal $150 per system.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Lucas County Building Regulations.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 419-213-4000 · One Government Center, Toledo, OH 43604